Scania special eyes the future

Swedish custom truck house Svempas has unveiled its latest creation, a high-tech Scania hot-rod it calls 'Chimera'

Swedish custom truck builder Svempa Bergendahl has pulled the covers off his latest bespoke Scania special, a futuristic prime mover capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in under five seconds.

Bergendahl's custom house Svempas penned the first sketches for the truck five years ago, but the final touches were applied in time for it to make its show debut at Switzerland's Interlaken Trucker & Country Festival over June 27-29.

Dubbed 'Chimera' after the fierce creature from Greek mythology that comprised parts from multiple animals, Svempa's latest – and his fourth Scania show truck – is powered by a 16.4-litre Scania V8 that produces 1460hp (1074kW), although plans are afoot to raise this output to over 2190hp (1610kW).

The V8 has a striking stainless steel header system and six Holset turbos, while it drives through a modified Allison six-speed transmission.

Laxa Special Vehicles designed the cab using customised P-cab and R-cab components while the prime mover rolls on a tubular stainless steel chassis and weighs in at 4780kg.

According to Svempas designer, Jan Richter, the truck is the perfect complement to the three other hot Scanias to which the firm has applied its touch.

"The Chimera fills a gap in our collection, namely a truck with a clearly futuristic outlook," he says.

"With its beautifully exposed engine and engineered design it takes styling to the extreme. But it also features state-of-the-art technology, using high-end materials as well as being prepared for future hybrid e-technology.

Richter says the Chimera represents something of a stylistic departure from the earlier show trucks.

"Previously we’ve had an eye towards a slightly retro appearance but we have now gone all-in for a truck that is decidedly contemporary in all aspects," he says.

"It also has more of a racing expression with attitude. Yet, we’ve continued to carefully adhere to the signature Scania design language, albeit taking that quite a few steps further."

The Chimera is set to appear at several major European truck shows and events through the coming months, where it's bound to provoke plenty of comment.

Scania special eyes the future

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